Chess Puzzle #IbsaA — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king b5; pawns a4/g3/h4. Black: king e4; pawns b6/f5/f6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (6 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f4 — pawn f5→f4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: gxf4 — pawn g3→f4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxf4 (king e4→f4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Kxb6 — king b5→b6, captures pawn. Opponent replies f5 (pawn f6→f5).
4. Best move: a5 — pawn a4→a5. Opponent replies Ke3 (king f4→e3).
5. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f5→f4).
6. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Opponent replies f3 (pawn f4→f3).
7. Best move: a8=Q — pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, pawn endgame, promotion, quiet move, very long. The key move gxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/1p3p2/1K3p1p/P3k2P/6P1/8/8 b - - 4 49

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